U.S. patent application number 11/795716 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for submarine with underwater exhaust discharge during snorkeling mode.
Invention is credited to Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud, Rainer Hartig, Hannes Schulze Horn, Stefan Jungnitz.
Application Number | 20110126752 11/795716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36650668 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110126752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abdel-Maksoud; Moustafa ; et
al. |
June 2, 2011 |
Submarine With Underwater Exhaust Discharge During Snorkeling
Mode
Abstract
A submarine or surface watercraft is equipped with at least one,
preferably supercharged charging diesel engine, which serves to
charge the vessel's batteries and which is operated in a controlled
and regulated manner during submarine snorkeling mode or during the
normal operation of surface watercraft. In at least one embodiment,
the exhaust gases produced during the operation of the charging
diesel engine are mixed with a flow of water, which is drawn from
the water surrounding the vessel and delivered in a regulated
manner by a pump while interacting with a negative-pressure
generating device, and, in a mixed state, are discharged under
water. The operation of the formed negative-pressure generating and
mixing device ensues while interacting with the controlling and
regulating of the charging diesel engine.
Inventors: |
Abdel-Maksoud; Moustafa;
(Berlin, DE) ; Hartig; Rainer; (Buxtehude, DE)
; Jungnitz; Stefan; (Uttenreuth/Weiher, DE) ;
Horn; Hannes Schulze; (Gladbeck, DE) |
Family ID: |
36650668 |
Appl. No.: |
11/795716 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
June 13, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/52707 |
371 Date: |
April 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/337 ;
701/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H 21/32 20130101;
B63G 8/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/337 ;
701/21 |
International
Class: |
B63G 8/12 20060101
B63G008/12; B63H 21/32 20060101 B63H021/32; G06F 19/00 20110101
G06F019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2005 |
EP |
05100461.2 |
Feb 17, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 007 484.7 |
Claims
1. A submarine, comprising: at least one charging diesel for at
least one battery of the submarine, operated with open-loop and
closed-loop control when snorkeling, with exhaust gases produced
during operation of the at least one charging diesel and a water
flow, taken from water surrounding the submarine and conveyed by
pump control, being mixed with one another, interacting with a
reduced-pressure production device, and being emitted in a mixed
state under water, the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device that is formed being operated in conjunction with the
open-loop and closed-loop control of the at least one charging
diesel.
2. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is operated in
conjunction with a propulsion system and an automation system of
the submarine.
3. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is started in a
starting sequence in conjunction with the charging diesel open-loop
and closed-loop control.
4. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is shut down in a
stopping sequence in conjunction with the charging diesel open-loop
and closed-loop control.
5. The submarine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is started only after
the water in the device has been blown out, with compressed air
preferably being used to blow the water out.
6. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reduced
pressure in the reduced-pressure production and mixing device is
set by way of a nominal value, whose magnitude is determined from
the depth of the exhaust gas outlet opening under water, and takes
account of the desired charging power.
7. The submarine as claimed in claim 6, wherein, during formation
of the nominal value, submarine speed and possibly a density of the
water surrounding the submarine are taken into account.
8. The submarine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the exhaust gas
pressure of the internal combustion engine is taken into account
for the reduced pressure.
9. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open-loop and
closed-loop control for the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device are matched to the power required by the charging diesel, as
a function of the water depth.
10. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein seawater is
prevented from flowing back into the exhaust gas line by way of an
automatic non-return (safety) valve in the diesel exhaust gas
line.
11. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein higher-level
closed-loop pressure control, advantageously by way of a PID
regulator, is set and maintained in a control loop for the reduced
pressure to be produced, and the reduced pressure is set and
maintained in a lower-level control loop for positioning a water
inlet valve or a closed-loop control of the rotation speed of the
water pump.
12. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow cross
section for the water in the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device are subjectable to open-loop and closed-loop control in
order to produce the reduced pressure.
13. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
computation unit for at least one of a starting sequence and a
stopping sequence, the computation device being connected to at
least one of a general submarine automation device and propulsion
system.
14. The submarine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
computation unit for operation of the reduced-pressure production
and mixing device, which is connected to a control and observation
station in the submarine.
15. A device for open-loop and closed-loop operation of a
reduced-pressure production and mixing device for the exhaust gases
from a submarine charging diesel in a submarine including a
propulsion system and an automation system as claimed in claim 1,
the device comprising: a controllable pump to produce a propulsion
water flow by way of the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device; and an electrical connection to transmit control variables
and input values to the submarine propulsion system, and in
particular to the submarine automation system, for example to the
part which is used for open-loop and closed-loop control of the
charging diesel.
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: a
higher-level control loop for closed-loop control of the reduced
pressure in the reduced-pressure production and mixing device; and
a lower-level control loop for closed-loop control of at least one
of pump rotation speed and speed of a valve in the propulsion water
flow, in order to produce the reduced pressure.
17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the closed-loop
control system includes a PID regulator.
18. The device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a
computation unit for calculating the instantaneous reduced pressure
in the reduced-pressure production and mixing device.
19. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising
computation device for determining the outlet pressure of the
gas-water mixture that is formed.
20. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a
controllable propulsion water pump.
21. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a control
valve for the propulsion water, to produce the reduced
pressure.
22. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a nozzle,
whose cross section can be adapted, to produce the reduced
pressure.
23. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a
compressed-air unit for the amount of air which is required to blow
the reduced-pressure production and mixing device free.
24. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising pressure
sensors.
25. A method, comprising: using the method as claimed in claim 1 in
a surface vessels including an exhaust gas output line from a power
generating device considerably below the waterline.
26. A method, comprising: using the method as claimed in claim 1
for the exhaust gas line from a power generating devices in the
area of an outer hull at at least one of the stem end and behind
the sail of a submarine.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the device for
reduced-pressure production and mixing is arranged at least one of
in the foot and at the foot of the submarine sail.
28. A method, comprising: using the method as claimed in claim 1 in
conjunction with a deeply submerged waterjet.
29. A method, comprising: using the method as claimed in claim 1 to
increase the power of turbocharged diesel engines.
30. The submarine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reduced
pressure is set in order to achieve a maximum possible power from
the charging diesel.
31. The submarine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is shut down in a
stopping sequence in conjunction-with the charging diesel open-loop
and closed-loop control.
32. The submarine as claimed in claim 31, further comprising a
computation unit for at least one of a starting sequence and a
stopping sequence, the computation device being connected to at
least one of a general submarine automation device and propulsion
system.
33. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the electrical
connection is used to transmit control variables and input values
to the submarine automation system.
34. The device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the electrical
connection is used to transmit control variables and input values
to a part of the submarine automation system which is used for
open-loop and closed-loop control of the charging diesel.
35. The device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the pressure sensors
include pressure sensors for the water pressure on the submarine,
and a pressure sensor for the exhaust gas pressure.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2005/052707
which has an International filing date of Jun. 13, 2005, which
designated the United States of America and which claims priority
on German Patent Application number 10 2005 007 484.7 filed Feb.
17, 2005 and on European Patent Application number EP 05100461
filed Jan. 25, 2005, the entire contents of each of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When a submarine is snorkeling in order to charge the
submarine batteries, the exhaust gases from the charging diesel
must be removed from the submarine. For this purpose, it is known
for an exhaust gas line to be provided in or adjacent to the
snorkel mast, from which the exhaust gases emerge in such a manner
that they do not mix with the fresh air being sucked in for the
charging diesel. This has the disadvantage that an exhaust gas
plume is created, which can be detected easily and reveals the
presence of the submarine.
[0003] In order to avoid this disadvantage, it is known, for
example from DE 103 14 057 B3, for the exhaust gases to actually be
carried out in the head of the snorkel mast, which is still located
underwater, at the same time reducing the water drag on the snorkel
mast head in the process. In this case, the exhaust gas emerges
without open-loop or closed-loop control through free cross
sections in the casing tube of the exhaust gas snorkel mast head
that is formed. This has the disadvantage that the exhaust gas
snorkel mast has a large volume, with correspondingly high water
drag. Furthermore, the mixing of the exhaust gas and water is not
so fine that exhaust gas bubbles cannot rise to the surface of the
water, where they form an exhaust-gas trail, which can give away
the presence of the submarine. Furthermore, a certain amount of
resistance to the exhaust gas outlet from the charging diesel must
be overcome.
SUMMARY
[0004] At least one embodiment of the invention specifies a method
and/or a device for a submarine, which reduces or even avoids at
least one of the disadvantages mentioned above.
[0005] It is also known for submarines to be equipped with
so-called power supplies that are independent of outside air, for
example with circulating diesels.
[0006] It is known, for example from DE 100 61 487 C1, for these
circulating diesels for the exhaust gases from the circulating
diesels, which essentially contain only carbon dioxide, to be
introduced with the aid of a porous body into a pipe, through which
external water flows, on the submarine and to be emitted via the
pipe.
[0007] The exhaust gases are in this case passed out of the
circulating diesel at a level which is not inconsiderably below the
water surface, and a pump is therefore provided in order to
overcome the pressure of the external water. An output line such as
this is suitable only for the small amounts of exhaust gas from a
circulating diesel.
[0008] At least one embodiment of the invention specifies a
submarine in which the exhaust gases of a conventional, in
particular turbocharged, charging diesel for the submarine
batteries when snorkeling can be emitted at a not inconsiderable
water depth, and having been mixed very well with the surrounding
water, without any loss of power or even with a gain in power, in
the vicinity of the submarine hull. The details of the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device which is required for
the solution are known from the European patent application
"Unterdruck-Mischeinrichtung fur Schiffsabgas" [Reduced-pressure
mixing device for marine vessel exhaust gas] (our reference: EP
05100461.2) which was not published with priority.
[0009] One refinement of at least one embodiment of the invention
provides that the reduced-pressure production and mixing device is
operated, in particular in an automated form, in conjunction with
the submarine propulsion system and the submarine automation
system. The inclusion of the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device in the general submarine propulsion and automation system
considerably improves security during operation of the submarine
charging diesel with an underwater exhaust gas line. Independent
operation is admittedly possible, for example if the water flow
conveyed by pump control or a tapped-off flow from the cooling
system of the charging diesel is first of all set to the maximum
level, and with the exhaust gas being mixed in only after this has
been done, although this can then result in an operating state
which adversely affects the security of the submarine, in the event
of faults.
[0010] Furthermore, better power optimization of the charging
diesel is possible as a result of this inclusion.
[0011] A further refinement of at least one embodiment of the
invention provides that the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device is started in a starting sequence in conjunction with the
charging diesel open-loop and closed-loop control, and that
stopping and shutdown take place in a corresponding manner, in a
stopping sequence. This ensures that the reduced-pressure
production and mixing device is always operated in a predetermined
starting and stopping mode, in particular at optimum speed and with
optimum safety. Unsafe operating states can therefore be avoided
with a high degree of confidence, and the operators can restrict
themselves to monitoring correct operation of the starting and
stopping of the charging diesel, and of its exhaust gas output line
device.
[0012] In this context, at least one embodiment of the invention
also provides that the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device is started only after the water in the device has been blown
out, with compressed air preferably being used to blow it out. The
use of compressed air for blowing out the exhaust gas
advantageously means that the paths for the exhaust gas are
completely free, thus quickly achieving the higher efficiency of
the turbocharger, and therefore of the charging diesel, that can be
achieved as a result of the reduced pressure.
[0013] One advantageous embodiment of at least one embodiment of
the invention provides that the reduced pressure in the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is set by way of a
nominal value which is determined from the depth of the exhaust gas
outlet opening under water, and in the process takes account in
particular of the desired charging power in particular. This
advantageously means that there is no need to carry out a
reduced-pressure measurement in the reduced-pressure production and
mixing device, since, because of the major vortices that occur
there, this can be done only with difficulty and with a time delay.
Running the reduced-pressure production and mixing device above a
nominal value results in stable operation, which is also safer in
particular when appropriate safety margins are applied, of the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device.
[0014] In this case, at least one embodiment of the invention also
provides that, during the formation of the nominal value, the
submarine speed and possibly the density of the water surrounding
the submarine are taken into account. This results in an
improvement in the nominal value in the direction of the conditions
which actually prevail in the reduced-pressure production and
mixing device, in particular when the exhaust gas pressure from the
internal combustion engine is taken into account when forming the
reduced pressure. This then also makes it possible to set the
reduced pressure such that maximum charging power, matched to the
respective submersion depth, can be achieved.
[0015] It is likewise possible to match the closed-loop control to
the power required the charging diesel, as a function of the water
depth and the state of charge of the submarine batteries.
[0016] A further refinement of at least one embodiment of the
invention provides that, for safe operation, an automatic
non-return (safety) valve in the diesel exhaust gas line prevents
seawater from flowing back into the exhaust gas line. If seawater
flows back into the exhaust gas line, this can lead to considerable
damage to the charging diesels. It is therefore advantageous to
provide a separate safety device in this case, which responds
independently in the event of possible failures of the open-loop
and closed-loop control.
[0017] One refinement of at least one embodiment of the invention
in this case provides that higher-level closed-loop pressure
control, advantageously by way of a PID regulator, sets and
maintains the reduced pressure in a control loop for the reduced
pressure to be produced in the reduced-pressure production and
mixing device, and sets and maintains the reduced pressure in a
lower-level control loop for positioning a water inlet valve or for
closed-loop control of the rotation speed of the water pump. This
allows stable closed-loop control, corresponding to the
requirements of a corresponding device, linking the various
components to be controlled to one another. In this case, it is
also possible to vary the flow cross section in the
reduced-pressure production and mixing device under open-loop and
closed-loop control.
[0018] This is particularly advantageous when using part of the
flow from the charging diesel cooling water or when using other
quantities of water originating from the submarine, instead of an
amount of water from a separate pump. Closed-loop control by way of
a separate valve or by cross-section variation is then
advantageous, since no controllable-flow-separate pump is
available.
[0019] In order to carry out the individual operating method steps
for the exhaust gas line of a submarine charging diesel under
water, a device is provided for open-loop and closed-loop operation
of a reduced-pressure production and mixing device for the exhaust
gases, which is connected to the submarine propulsion system, and
in particular to the submarine automation system, for example to
the part which is used for open-loop and closed-loop control of the
charging diesel. The response of the exhaust gas output line device
and of the charging diesel can thus be matched to one another at
any time, taking account of the motion state of the submarine. The
exhaust gas output line device can thus be set at any time, taking
account of the submarine motion state, to the specific requirements
of the charging diesel, and in this case in particular of the
turbocharger.
[0020] The device for open-loop and closed-loop control operation
of a reduced-pressure production and mixing device has, in
particular, a higher-level control loop for closed-loop control of
the reduced pressure and a lower-level control loop for closed-loop
control of the pump rotation speed or of a valve in the propulsion
water flow. This advantageously makes it possible to take account
of the requirements for closed-loop control of the individual
components, particularly when the closed-loop control comprises a
PID regulator, which very quickly emits the required control
variables.
[0021] In this case, at least one embodiment of the invention also
provides that the device has a computation device for determining
the outlet pressure of the gas-water mixture that is formed and/or
the reduced pressure in the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device. This computation unit, which is configured using the data
for the reduced-pressure production and mixing device, very
advantageously allows the internal pressure and the outlet pressure
of the gas-water mixture formed to be calculated continuously. This
allows safe closed-loop control of the reduced-pressure production
and mixing device which safely not only takes account of the
operation of the exhaust-gas turbocharger but also sets the
required backpressure, while preventing the surrounding water from
flowing into the device during operation. A controllable propulsion
water pump or a control valve for the propulsion water, or else a
nozzle whose cross section can be adapted, is optionally provided
for the closed-loop control. In all cases, it is possible to
provide safer open-loop and closed-loop control for the reduced
pressure, so as to preclude any risk to the charging diesel.
[0022] Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention
advantageously provides that the submarine has a compressed-air
unit for the amount of freely blown air for the device. In this
case, both an independent compressed-air unit and a unit which
changes the exhaust gases, or air inducted through the snorkel, to
the required blowing-out pressure, can be provided. This can then
be supplied with the appropriate compressor power.
[0023] A further refinement of at least one embodiment of the
invention provides that the submarine has a pressure sensor for the
water pressure and, advantageously, a pressure sensor for the
exhaust gas pressure upstream of the reduced-pressure production
and mixing device. In a submarine, the water pressure is generally
determined continuously by means of sensors, although in this case
it is particularly advantageous to provide a specific, separate
pressure sensor for the water pressure adjacent to or in the
vicinity of the reduced-pressure production and mixing device.
Together with a pressure sensor for the exhaust gas pressure
upstream of the device, this then reliably produces the pressure
difference which must be achieved by the device.
[0024] A further refinement of at least one embodiment of the
invention provides that the submarine according to at least one
embodiment of the invention has a computation unit for the
procedure for a starting sequence and for a stopping sequence of
the reduced-pressure production and mixing device. This allows safe
starting and stopping operation. In this case, it is also possible
to take account of environmental influences and the operating state
of the charging diesel. The computation unit makes it possible to
set the required setting variables particularly quickly, since a
computation device such as this can react more quickly than the
respective crewman. This is particularly important when the
submarine has to dive quickly below snorkeling depth. In this case,
provision is made for the computation device to be connected to the
general submarine automation device and submarine propulsion
system. This ensures the required operation of the reduced-pressure
production and mixing device, as a function of the respective
submarine maneuver.
[0025] At least one embodiment of the invention also provides that
the computation unit is connected to the submarine state
visualization, in particular to a control and observation station
within the submarine automation system. This allows the crew to
monitor the operation of the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device easily and quickly at any time, in which case an existing
screen, which is not required for any other purpose, can
advantageously be used.
[0026] A reduced-pressure production and mixing device according to
at least one embodiment of the invention can be used advantageously
other than in submarines. Its use is also considerably advantageous
in surface vessels with an underwater exhaust gas output line from
power generating devices, in particular diesel generator sets or
gas turbine generator sets, when the aim is to emit the exhaust
gases considerably below the waterline. In this case, a water depth
of 4 to 6 m can be achieved for the exhaust gas output line, so
that it is virtually impossible to locate the exhaust gases, which
are also swirled further in the wake of the surface vessel. The
reduced-pressure production and mixing device is advantageously
arranged in the area of the outer hull of the surface vessel,
astern or amidships.
[0027] In the case of submarines, it is particularly advantageous
to arrange the reduced-pressure production and mixing device at the
foot of the sail, or behind the sail. Particularly in the case of
submarines which are intended to be retrofitted, there is also
advantageously no need to modify the exhaust gas routing within the
submarine. All of the advantages are nevertheless achieved.
[0028] For surface vessels, it is particularly advantageous to use
the reduced-pressure production and mixing device in conjunction
with a deeply submerged waterjet, since the power generating device
will be arranged in the vessel area in front of the waterjet for a
deeply submerged waterjet, so that only short exhaust gas lines
will be required, with the exhaust gases at the same time being
mixed particularly well in the water. For horizontally operating
position-finding appliances which operate in the IR band, this
means that it will be impossible to locate the exhaust gases from
the diesel or gas-turbine generator set for supplying deeply
submerged waterjets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Example embodiments of the invention will be explained in
more detail with reference to description below and the drawings,
from which further details, which are also significant to example
embodiments of the invention, will become evident, in the same way
as from the dependent claims and the drawing description.
[0030] In detail:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic section drawing through the device
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the control system for the
device according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for the starting and stopping
processes, and
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an example, in the form of a schematic
illustration, of a large oceangoing vessel, for example a frigate,
with distributed devices according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] In FIG. 1, 1 denotes the housing tube of the device which,
at the same time, is the inlet tube for the mixing and
reduced-pressure production (propulsion) water. 2 denotes the
exhaust gas tube, and 3 the advantageous central displacement body,
which is significant to an embodiment of the invention, for exhaust
gas with an outlet cone for the mixture that is formed, with a
diffuser effect. The reduced-pressure region according to the
invention is formed around the displacement body 3 on the outside
of the widened area 4. Guide elements 5 and 6 are provided in order
to introduce spin into the water flow and into the gas flow, and at
the same time said guide elements can form a holder for the
displacement body 3 and for the widened water channel 4. The water
fed to the mixing and reduced-pressure production device is
symbolized by the arrows 7, and the exhaust gas is symbolized by
the arrow 8. The gas-water mixture that is formed is symbolized by
the double-headed arrow 9. 10 denotes the mixture outlet tube. The
guide elements 5 and 6 advantageously produce contrarotating
spin.
[0036] One very major factor for the advantageous operation of the
mixing and reduced-pressure production device is the geometric
relationships, that is to say the tube diameter and tube section
lengths in the device. For this reason, FIG. 1 shows the individual
lengths and the major diameter. The ratios for the dimensions in
FIG. 1 are as follows: [0037] DA=1.5-2.0 D4 [0038] L1=3-4.5 D4
[0039] L2=0.6-0.8 D4 [0040] L3=0.8-1.2 D4 [0041] L4=0.6-1.0 D4
[0042] L5=1.3-1.7 D4 [0043] L6=1.5-3.5 D4 [0044] D1=1.2-1.5 D4
[0045] D2=0.2-0.3 D4 [0046] D3=0.2-0.3 D4 [0047] D4 is the diameter
of the exhaust gas tube.
[0048] The relationships listed in the table have been calculated
for an exhaust gas tube with a diameter of 250 mm, into which the
exhaust gases from a typical, turbocharged diesel engine with a
power of 1300 kW are introduced. The exhaust gas inlet temperature
in the device is 90 degrees C., once it has been cooled according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0049] In FIG. 2, 11 denotes the reduced-pressure production and
mixing device according to an embodiment of the invention in an
abstracted form, while the other components of the closed-loop
control system are illustrated in the normal electrical-engineering
form. 12 denotes the seawater inlet and 13 the controllable pump
which, if required, is followed by a control valve or a throttle
valve 14. This control valve 14 can also be omitted if the dynamic
response of the pump 13 is sufficiently good to ensure rapid
dynamic closed-loop control, for example in order to compensate for
wave peaks and troughs with heavy surf.
[0050] Element 14 denotes the input of the reduced-pressure nominal
value and 15 the combination with the depth value and the relative
speed value. The suction at the outlet of the exhaust gas/water
mixture from the device according to an embodiment of the invention
can be taken into account in the relative speed value. 16 and 17
denote a PID regulator and a PI regulator for pressure control, and
the position control for the pump 13 or the valve 14. 18 denotes
the magnitude (computation variable) of the reduced pressure, and
19 the amount of reduced-pressure water that is produced. The
individual variables and input values are linked to one another in
the normal control-engineering manner, with the closed-loop control
system representing only one advantageous embodiment. 20 denotes
the open-loop and closed-loop control unit for the two charging
diesels 21 that are normally provided for the submarine, and 22
denotes the valves for the exhaust gas flow from the charging
diesels. 23 denotes the inlet valve for the compressed air, which
is used to blow the device 11 free before starting it up after
having been submerged. 24 denotes the pressure measurement in the
exhaust gas path and 25 the pressure difference across the control
valve 14, which forms a basis for the calculations by the
computation unit for the reduced pressure in the device 11. As can
be seen, both the pressure in the exhaust gas line and the pressure
difference, as well as the valve position, together with the depth
and the relative speed, are used for control purposes.
[0051] The individual blocks in the flowchart in FIG. 3, which
shows the starting and stopping processes for the reduced-pressure
production and mixing device show the tasks which have to be
carried out in each block. The starting process is preceded by a
preparation sequence 30 for the charging diesel. As is shown in
block 31, the pump is started once this has been done. The exhaust
gas line is then blown out with compressed air, in which case the
compressed air can also be produced, as stated in 32, by means of
air inducted through the snorkel, or by exhaust gas compression.
The statement "blowing out with compressed air" relates to blowing
out using compressed air from a compressed-air reservoir. As shown
by 33, the blowing-out process is then followed by the respective
diesel engine being started, which is followed by the normal
running-up process for the diesel engine. This is symbolized by
34.
[0052] The stopping process starts with a sequence, symbolized by
35, of stopping the diesel engine, and this is carried out by the
task in the block 36. Advantageously, as indicated in 37, the
exhaust gas line is then blown out or purged. As can be seen from
38, the pump is then switched off, and the sequence continues with
the diesel engine being stopped, symbolized by 39. This ensures
correct operation of the reduced-pressure production and mixing
device once again, in conjunction with and appropriately for the
requirements for operating and for shutting down the charging
diesels.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a modern frigate with power
generating sets distributed in the vessel, with 40 denoting an
exhaust gas outlet, according to an embodiment of the invention, in
the bow area of the vessel, 41 an exhaust gas outlet according to
an embodiment of the invention amidships, which operates in
conjunction with a waterjet 44 and an internal combustion engine
generator set 43, while 42 denotes an outlet device, according to
the invention, for exhaust gases in the stern area of the vessel.
As can be seen, any power generating device which is arranged in
the marine vessel, for example the frigate illustrated by way of
example, although this may, of course, also be a corvette or a
high-speed boat, can be equipped with a reduced-pressure production
and exhaust-gas mixing appliance according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0054] The propulsion for the frigate shown in FIG. 4 is provided
by an electrical steering propeller 45, although, of course, it can
also be propelled by a propeller which is mounted in a fixed
position in the stern of the marine vessel. This may either be a
direct diesel drive or else a propeller drive driven by one or more
electric motors. Depending on the magnitude of the exhaust gas
flows, the devices 40, 41 or 42 according to an embodiment of the
invention are then connected in parallel, since, for financial
reasons, it is worthwhile restricting the device according to the
invention to a standard size. The device according to an embodiment
of the invention, whose control capabilities are appropriately
designed, can then be appropriately configured and optimized. A
correspondingly smaller device need be provided only for very small
devices, for example for internal combustion engines of less than a
few 100 kW, or for diesel reformers. However, the size of the
device can be reduced without any changes relating to the flow.
[0055] The method and the device can be used whenever it is desired
to increase the power of a diesel engine. The power of all diesel
engines is dependent on the backpressure, and an embodiment of the
invention makes it possible to considerably reduce the
backpressure--even below atmospheric pressure.
[0056] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious
to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
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